Spotting During Pregnancy

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Updated On:January 28, 2025

What is Spotting During Pregnancy?

Spotting during pregnancy is characterized by blood spots that can be pink, red, or brown in color. Pregnancy spotting, particularly in the first trimester, is typically not a cause for concern. Blood from spotting would not fill a panty liner if you are wearing one.

Spotting is not the same as bleeding. A larger flow of blood than the occasional drop is referred to as bleeding. It's typically seen as bleeding if you have to use a pad to prevent it from spoiling your underwear.

If you suffer bleeding or spotting, call your doctor. The doctor might want to examine you or run an ultrasound to detect the cause of the bleeding or spotting and to protect your health and that of the fetus.

Causes of Spotting During Pregnancy

Early pregnancy spotting is frequently caused by implantation which is when the fertilized egg fuses with the uterine lining. Implantation bleeding may, thus, occur. This bleeding, which happens before a woman even realizes she is pregnant, is frequently mistaken for the start of a period. It is often too late for bleeding to be categorized as implantation bleeding when it happens after the day a woman anticipates her period, and it is more likely related to early pregnancy in general.

A cervical polyp, a benign growth on the cervix, is another typical reason for spotting. Because of elevated estrogen levels during pregnancy, this growth is more prone to bleeding. This might happen as a result of the tissue surrounding the cervix having more blood arteries during pregnancy. As a result, any contact with this area, such as during sexual activity or a gynecological exam, may result in bleeding.

Causes of bleeding during pregnancy, especially the first trimester, may include the following:

Molar Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy
Subchorionic Hematoma
Miscarriage

Late pregnancy bleeding is more dangerous and should typically be examined by your doctor. Potential reasons include:

Cervical insufficiency
Preterm labor
Miscarriage
Placenta previa
Placenta abruption

Symptoms of Spotting During Pregnancy

Spotting frequently occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, at an early stage of pregnancy. Spotting typically has a red or pink color. Additionally, it may appear brown, like soiled blood or bleeding at the beginning and end of your menstruation. Spotting results in a tiny loss of blood, comparable to a light menstrual bleed.

If the spotting is due to implantation, you might experience symptoms that are similar to PMS. These symptoms may include the following:

Light bleeding,
cramps, nausea,
bloating,
painful breasts,
headaches,
mood changes,
and potentially a change in basal body temperature are some of the symptoms that may be present.

However, some women do not experience symptoms of implantation.

When to see a doctor for Spotting During Pregnancy?

All symptoms you are experiencing during your pregnancy should be discussed with your healthcare professional. Spotting is a little more common in the first trimester, but it should still be reported to your doctor or midwife.

Call your obstetrician right away if you experience heavy bleeding that resembles a menstrual period so they can rule out other causes of the bleeding, like an ectopic pregnancy. Complications may be indicated by abnormal bleeding in late pregnancy. If you encounter any bleeding in your second or third trimester, call your doctor as soon as you can. Most likely, your doctor will check your cervix for closure and look for cervical polyps.

Spotting During Pregnancy Risk Factors

Spotting during pregnancy can happen to anyone. Risk factors of spotting during pregnancy may include the following:

Female is of an older age when pregnant
Uterus surgery in the past
Having had a C-section
High number of prior pregnancies
Smoking
Elevated blood pressure
Having contracted a sexually transmitted disease
Chronic health conditions

Complications of Spotting During Pregnancy

Spotting during the first trimester is typically common and not a cause of concern. However, your doctor needs to be informed if you are experiencing spotting during your pregnancy. If spotting develops into bleeding, contact your doctor immediately to determine the cause and to protect yourself and your baby. Untreated bleeding could result in serious complications, such as miscarriage.

Diagnosing Spotting During Pregnancy

To identify the source of your bleeding, your healthcare professional will want to conduct an ultrasound and a physical examination. They can request blood or urine tests as well as additional imaging procedures like an MRI. The following tests are used to identify the cause of your bleeding depending on the severity of the bleeding and your gestational age.

Ultrasound: An ultrasound examination is one of the initial procedures in assessing bleeding during pregnancy. This is carried out in order to verify that the pregnancy is within the uterus (not ectopic) and that the heartbeat is normal (no miscarriage). The length of the cervix and the placement of the placenta will also be determined via ultrasound.
Pregnancy Hormones: Before the embryo is seen on an ultrasound, a pregnancy hormone level (hCG) test is frequently performed in the early stages of gestation ( 6 weeks) to assess whether you are pregnant and whether the pregnancy is developing normally.
Speculum Exam: The cervix can be seen during a speculum exam to determine whether the bleeding is being caused by a pelvic infection, a mass on the cervix, a cervical laceration, or cervix dilatation.

Treatment for Spotting During Pregnancy

Depending on the cause of the spotting, doctors may recommend the following:

Bedrest
Avoiding sex
Avoiding long trips
Medication
Surgery or hospitalization

Preventing Spotting During Pregnancy

Your healthcare practitioner may advise you to do the following to assist control your pregnancy spotting and improve your chances of having a safe pregnancy:

Taking more naps or being on bed rest
Drinking plenty of water
Reduce your levels of exercise
Elevating your feet
Not lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds

Remember that most pregnant women who experience spotting go on to have healthy pregnancies, which is wonderful news. However, don't let this stop you from getting in touch with your doctor. Spotting and bleeding can be a cause of concern and should be communicated to your doctor.

References

Hasan, R., Baird, D. D., Herring, A. H., Olshan, A. F., Funk, M. L. J., & Hartmann, K. E. (2010). Patterns and predictors of vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Annals of epidemiology, 20(7), 524-531.

Snell, B. J. (2009). Assessment and management of bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 54(6), 483-491.

Thorstensen, K. A. (2000). Midwifery management of first trimester bleeding and early pregnancy loss. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 45(6), 481-497.

Yang, J., Savitz, D. A., Dole, N., Hartmann, K. E., Herring, A. H., Olshan, A. F., & Thorp Jr, J. M. (2005). Predictors of vaginal bleeding during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 19(4), 276-283.